Sunday, April 27, 2008

Urgent Update

But do you not know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?
James 2: 20

Guys,
I just got this e mail and for those of you on my e mail list I sent this out to you already.
I urge you to read this and then DO something!

How many times have you watched a movie of genocide of the Jews, or the killings in Rwanda or Sudan, etc. and said "how did that ever happen? Why didn't someone do something?"
This is your chance to do something! To do nothing is to pull the trigger yourself.

Letter from Zimbabwe sent in by John Winter -- 4/25/2008
I reckon that these are the last days of TKM and ZPF. The darkest hour is always before dawn.
We are all terrified at what they are going to destroy next........I mean they are actually ploughing down brick and mortar houses and one white family with twin boys of 10 had no chance of salvaging anything when100 riot police came in with AK47's and bulldozers and demolished their beautiful house - 5 bedrooms and pine ceilings - because it was "too close to the airport", so we are feeling extremely insecure right now.
You know - I am aware that this does not help you sleep at night, but if you do not know - how can you help? Even if you put us in your own mental ring of light and send your guardian angels to be with us - that is a help - but I feel so cut off from you all knowing I cannot tell you what's going on here simply because you will feel uncomfortable. There is no ways we can leave here so that is not an option.
I ask that you all pray for us in the way that you know how, and let me know that you are thinking of us and sending out positive vibes... that's all. You can't just be in denial and pretend/believe it's not going on.
To be frank with you, it's genocide in the making and if you do not believe me, read the Genocide Report by Amnesty International which says we are - IN level 7 - (level 8 is after it's happened and everyone is in denial).
If you don't want me to tell you these things-how bad it is—then it means you have not dealt with your own fear, but it does not help me to think you are turning your back on our situation. We need you, please, to get the news OUT that we are all in a fearfully dangerous situation here. Too many people turn their backs and say - oh well, that's what happens in Africa. This Government has GONE MAD and you need to help us publicize our plight--- or how can we be rescued? It's a reality! The petrol queues are a reality, the pall of smoke all around our city is a reality, the thousands of homeless people sleeping outside in 0 Celsius with no food, water, shelter and bedding are a reality. Today a family approached me, brother of the gardener's wife with two small children. Their home was trashed and they will have to sleep outside. We already support 8 adult people and a child on this property, and electricity is going up next month by 250% as is water.How can I take on another family of 4 -----and yet how can I turn them away to sleep out in the open?
I am not asking you for money or a ticket out of here - I am asking you to FACE the fact that we are in deep and terrible danger and want you please to pass on our news and pictures. So PLEASE don't just press the delete button! Help best in the way that you know how.
Do face the reality of what is going on here and help us SEND OUT THE WORD.. The more people who know about it, the more chance we have of the United Nations coming to our aid. Please don't ignore or deny what's happening. Some would like to be protected from the truth BUT then, if we are eliminated, how would you feel? "If only we knew how bad it really was we could have helped in some way".
[I know we chose to stay here and that some feel we deserve what's coming to us]
For now,--- we ourselves have food, shelter, a little fuel and a bit of money for the next meal - but what is going to happen next? Will they start on our houses? All property is going to belong to the State now. I want to send out my Title Deeds to one of you because if they get a hold of those, I can't fight for my rights.
Censorship!----We no longer have SW radio [which told us everything that was happening] because the Government jammed it out of existence – we don't have any reporters, and no one is allowed to photograph. If we had reporters here, they would have an absolute field day. Even the pro-Government Herald has written that people are shocked, stunned, bewildered and blown mindless by the wanton destruction of many folks homes, which are supposed to be 'illegal' but for which a huge percentage actually do have licenses.
Please! - do have some compassion and HELP by sending out the articles and personal reports so that something can/may be done. "I am one. I cannot do everything, ---but I can do something.. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do. What I can do, I should do. And what I should do, by the grace of God, I will do." -
Edward Everett Hale

Saturday, April 26, 2008

Stand Up

I hope all who read this blog will join in intercession for Zimbabwe. We, with our freedoms, will be held accountable for our stewardship of our freedom. We can not, we must not, stand idle while there is such horrific genocide taking place in any part of the world.

I thank God I was born in the United States. Do you not know that God places you where you are. Nothing is by chance. He has chosen your borders. What are we as a people going to do with this? Do not be sidetracked, be focused. Make a difference.

Here is a news clip, please pass this on.
Peace!

Church in Zimbabwe Calls for International Day of Prayer April 27 Dan Wooding (April 26, 2008)
May a continual, strong stream of prayer and supplication flow up to the Lord on behalf of all the people on this Day of Prayer, exhorting His divine intervention throughout the nation.
(Harare, Zimbabwe)—According to the British website Ekklesia, the Anglican Church in Zimbabwe has asked Christians around the world to focus their prayers this Sunday on the critical situation in the country. (Photo: CNN)
Making the call, Rev. Bob Stumbles, Chancellor of the Anglican Diocese of Harare, described Zimbabwe as "a nation in dire distress and teetering on the brink of human disaster."
It needs to be rescued from violence, the concealing and juggling of election results, deceit, oppression and corruption, to bring about righteousness, joy, peace, compassion, honesty, justice, democracy and freedom from fear and want, the chancellor said.
"Let the cry for help touch your heart and mind. Let it move you to do what you can immediately to ensure this Day of Prayer takes place in your country and neighborhood.
"May a continual, strong stream of prayer and supplication flow up to the Lord on behalf of all the people on this Day of Prayer, exhorting His divine intervention throughout the nation."
The Ekklesia story concluded, "The call comes as Christians in the country said they feared genocide, and a call was made for an international arms embargo against the country."
Source: Assist News

Monday, April 21, 2008

Prayer Alert for Zimbabwe

Prayer Alert! Pleas from Zimbabwe Teresa Neumann (April 21, 2008)
We have to let the world know what is happening...Please stand with us in South Africa in praying for a country crying out for deliverance!

(Harare, Zimbabwe)—In 2007, Communist President Robert Mugabe was given the title "The World's Worst Dictator" by Parade in 2007. After winning a supposedly rigged election, the Christian Science Monitor (CSM) reports that human rights groups say his militias are setting up "torture camps" to beat opposition supporters, and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has fled the country in fear for his life. (Photo: AP)The majority of Zimbabweans are Christian.

Addressing the escalating crisis, former United Nations Secretary, General Kofi Annan, has called on African leaders to resolve the Zimbabwe crisis. "On the question of Zimbabwe, there has been substantial international attention," he said. "The question which has been posed is: Where are the Africans? Where are their leaders and the countries in the region, what are they doing? It is a rather dangerous situation. It's a serious crisis with impact beyond Zimbabwe."
Human Rights Watch is quoted as saying pro-government militias—including hundreds of so-called "war veterans"—are arresting and beating anyone suspected of having supported Mugabe's opposition. "It's a time bomb because people are unhappy and they are bottling up their anger," says Eldred Masunungure, a political science lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe.

BCN subscriber Heidi Rootman from South Africa wrote asking for prayer. Said Rootman: "I would like to call on all Christians worldwide for an urgent prayer request regarding our neighboring country Zimbabwe, a country that is crying out for deliverance from the poverty and cruelty that they have suffered under Robert Mugabe's reign. A shipment of weapons including rocket driven grenades, mortars and other heavy ammunition is seeking a harbor after being refused to dock at the South African harbors. These weapons are headed directly for Zimbabwe so that the wave of intimidation and terror can continue for anyone daring to vote for the opposition, as a revote may be on the cards. This man apparently wiped out hundreds of thousands of people, obliterating entire towns and communities at the start of his reign. He has not changed.

Please pray with us the following:

• that God's will and purpose be accomplished in the present situation.

• for confusion in the ranks of the enemy and that his plans for Zimbabwe be thwarted.

• for that what is hidden and been done in darkness be exposed.

• that this ship from China carrying weapons will not be able to dock anywhere and that these weapons will not reach their destination.

• a release in the present situation so that things do not go the Kenya way.
Please stand with us in South Africa in praying for a country crying out for deliverance!

From her home in France, Anne Elmer, author of Transported by the Lion of Judah, shared the prayer requests she has received from friends in Africa. These letters are full of reports of murder, and it is evident that the current crisis in Zimbabwe is of a racial as well as a political nature. Said "Kerry" from Zimbabwe: "There was a carefully orchestrated war vet attack on the few remaining white owned farms in Masvingo. The farms that I know were invaded were the Goddards, Connors, Borland, Richards and Sparrows. The whole Pa Nyanda Lodge was taken over and Graham and Cally were given an hour to leave their house. They did so with a few photos and valuables, but didn't even have time to pack a suitcase...surely, the outside world cannot sit back and allow a repeat of 2002. There is huge military deployment as we speak, and the people are becoming fearful."

"Please pass this email on to as many folks as you would like to," said another. "If you know of anyone in the media, all the better. We have to let the world know what is happening."

Source: Scott Baldauf - Christian Science Monitor

Sunday, April 20, 2008

A Most Fantastic Day

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds, casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ
2 Corinthians 10:4,5

Today is a rainy Sunday. I had the day off from work. I had such a wonderful and peaceful day. Guess what we did today. Our washing machine is on the brink until the repair man cometh, so we went to the laundromat. I have not been to one of those for so long. It was kinda fun. Ok, are you thinking I need to get out more often? haha Tim and I did it together and that was fun.

Then we went out for lunch with the girls and came home and relaxed the rest of the day. Tim made dinner so I get to do the dishes, which are still sitting out there. Maybe the rapture will come and get me out of it. Hmmm...

I have really praying that God move me out of my job. Not cause me to be unemployed, but to open an other door. I really want to focus on my writing. I do miss being home in the evenings with the family. I am thinking about joining an on line writing community, to help with accountability and critique for my writing. I will start posting some of my work and you guys can read it and give me some feedback.

So I noticed gas is $3.49 today. Does anyone else see a problem here? I was going to go outa town today, but perhaps it is more important that we eat, huh? It has got me thinking what can we do to cause change?

The New Yorker has the best cartoons. There is one of an older couple sitting on a couch watching t.v. and the caption says "When we retire, I want to watch travel videos" What happened to the American dream, huh? What a true, but sad commentary. What is wrong with seniors working at the age of 80 still working to buy their meds? I wonder how much more we will take?

Do you think perhaps we have become blind sighted? Working for something that is not eternal and never achieving what we are striving for? Can greed ever be satisfied and will fear never bow? Certainly I am not suggesting we all quit working and be lazy, but guys, let's focus. Are we impacting the world around us? Is our sphere of influence be influenced for Christ or is our love growing cold? Do we have oil in our lamps?

Those of you who know me, know my heart is evangelism. But I will confess to you, working a secular job is hard. It is a battle to not give into the pull of the world. Thank God for His grace and love that does not let me go. We have His Holy Spirit to remind us what our goal is. There is no prosperity gospel or a poverty gospel, but the gospel of Jesus Christ is what leads to an abundant life. So keep your focus. Encourage each other, pray for one another, it does matter!

By the way, pray for us to sell our house sooooon! We want to be in Florida before classes start. Pray not only for us to sell our house, but pray for the next family who will live here and pray for our future neighbors and church family. Remembering God sets His boundaries around us and He decides where we will live.

I love you guys. Keeping the faith!

Thursday, April 17, 2008

He is still here!

For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
Romans 11:29

Hey guys!It has been awhile since I last posted here. A lot of stuff has been happening here. But thank God the sun is shining today and I am still standing. I have been going through a sifting and I am so thankful for my friends that are standing beside me and encouraging me without judgement and praying me through. I love you!

Well, the house is still on the market. Can not wait until that sign changes from for sale to sold. Next stop is Florida. I am excited and looking forward to the change (and the ocean!) My two youngest do not share my enthusiasm. Savanna is convinced we will all die in a hurricane. She said "Mommy, we can't go there, the good die young." So, I told her to just continue being bad and she will not have to worry about it. haha She says some funny things sometimes.

Yahoo, guess what! I lost two sizes. Still got more to go, but I am getting there. I got the Turbo Jam DVD's. Chalene Johnson is great. Now as you know, I have a little problem with things holding my interest for any length of time ( I am not a good movie date) but these DVD's are fantastic. I am feeling the results. My girls laugh at me when I work out in the mornings. They sit on the couch and my 8 year old plays the role of Simon, haha I told her to go ahead and laugh, but Mama is gonna look good this summer.

God is so faithful. I have really been struggling these past couple months. Have been a dark place. I will confess some of it was because of choices that I have made and there is no need to elaborate. But I just want to give glory to God right now. He has kept His word and He has not forsaken me and He has not left me.

Now I know I am not the only one who has experienced this, but I was so down I thought I would never get up. When my mind battled hell and I fought to just hold on, Jesus did not let go of me. When I cried because I could not pray and just sat with my Bible on my lap and could not read it, Jesus did not let go of me. When I continued to walk in the opposite direction, still He was there. When I heard His voice, I cried because I remembered all the promises and was very afraid I blew it, but He was there.

Do you know where He took me? He took me to David, the man after His own heart.

Have mercy on me, O God
According to Your loving kindness
According to the multitude of Your tender mercies
Blot out my transgressions
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity
And cleanse me from my sin

For I acknowledge my transgressions
And my sin is always before me
Against You, You only, have I sinned
And done this evil in Your sight-
That You may be found just when You speak
And blameless when You judge

Behold, You desire truth in my inward parts
And in the hidden part, You will make me to know wisdom

Hide Your face from my sin
And blot out all my iniquities
Create in me a clean heart, O God
And renew a steadfast spirit within me
Do not cast me away from Your presence
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation
And uphold me by Your generous Spirit
O Lord, open my lips
And my mouth shall show forth Your praise

Psalm 51: 1-6,9-12,15

Remember, as He has caused me to remember, He is a good father and His gifts are irrevocable and His promises are yes and amen! It is not sacrifice He desires, but a broken and contrite heart.

Humbly His!